High-speed labelling machine



J y 1955 R. R. DELLA VITE 3,

HIGH-SPEED LABELLING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l ROMUALD RENE DELLA VITE 5 INVENTOR BY /;M{%

AGENT July 20, 1965 R. R- DELLA VlTE HIGH-SPEED LABELLING MACHINE 4 S hee'cs-Sheet. 2'

Filed June 28, 1961 4 M mm 3 W Ai fi /owzfi Mw m M B u WU 1 T .5 le w I 9 i w I1 I, NH 2 1 1 2/ 7 9 I 1 m w w w y 1955 R. R. DELLA VITE 3,196,070

men-5mm: LABELLING MACHINE Filed June 28. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I W x! i 1% 1 B i 1 i l I g J I m -E l1 il 40 l i :33 :2 E 2 [SE 32 I 1 i i ii ROMUALD RENE DELLA VITE INVENTOR M AGENT July 20, 1965 DELLA v 3,196,070

HIGH-SPEED LABELLING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Romua/d Rene Della Vife INVENTOR.

AGENT United States Patent 3,196,070 IHGH-SPFJED LABELLING MACI E Romuald Ren Della Vite, Nogent-sur-Marne, France,

assignor to Societe Anonyrne dite: Societe Francaise dEtiquetage Virey & Garuier, Nogent-sur-li/Iarne,

France, a French compan Filed June 28, 1961, Ser. No. 120,236 Claims priority, application France, May 4, 1961, 860,759, Patent 1,305,394 9 Claims. (Cl. 156--571) This invention relates in general to receptacle labelling machines of the type comprising a label magazine, a pick-up roller, a hearing or intermediate roller and a gumming roller. In machines of this character, the pickup roller is moved toward the label magazine by a conventional mechanism released by the passage of the separate bottles (cg. via a retractable lever); the magazine picks up a label, holds it by suction, performs a half-revolution, and deposits the label on the intermediate roller from which it is transferred to the gumming roller; then the label is taken up by suction by a turret comprising a number of stations, for example six, whereby the label is applied to the bottle travelling on the conveyor.

It is more particularly the object of this invention to provide an improved machine of this general type, but having a greater number of stations, so that a greater number of bottles can be labelled within a given time period, thus increasing considerably the effieiency or speed of the machine.

It will be readily appreciated that the problem to be solved consists in feeding labels to the turrets as a greater speed without interfering with the reliability of the feed and without resorting to complicated and breakable mechanical structures.

The machine according to this invention is characterized essentially in that it comprises at least two label magazines adequately disposed in relation to each other, a pair of semi-rotational pick-up rollers corresponding respectively to each one of said magazines, means for imparting by turns an alternating motion to said pick-up rollers, an intermediate roller having a fixed axis but revolving continuously and on which said pick-up rollers deposit their labels in turn, a gumming roller taking the labels from said intermediate roller, and a diversion device transferring the labels to the turret, Where they are finally applied to the bottles.

A machine of the type broadly set forth hereinabove may comprise a turret having nine or more stations. The label magazines and the pair of pick-up rollers having vertical axes are disposed at right angles to one another. The pick-up rollers revolve by turns through 180 after a pause during which these rollers are moved toward the label magazine and pick up a label.

These rollers are driven through a partly-toothed pinion meshing with a pinion of the intermediate shaft having likewise a vertical axis; a device comprising a follower associated with a notched cam is provided for locking the pair of pick-up rollers every 180. As the bottles move past, they release successively through a suitable kinematic arrangement a pair of arms pivoting in horizontal planes and each carrying the shaft of a respective pick-up roller, the movement of each pick-up roller toward each label magazine being controlled through a set of cams carried by each pick-up roller and by the intermediate roller, respectively. This intermediate roller revolves continuously, as already set forth, and therefore takes up two labels at each revolution; thus, each pick-up roller is approached once during revolution of the intermediate roller.

According to another feature characterizing this invention, special means for gumming the label completely Bdfifild Patented July 20, i965 without any direct contact between the ribs of the intermediate roller and those of the gumming roller, as well as special means for transferring the fully gummed label to said turret, are also provided.

The gist of the invention will appear more clearly as the following description proceeds with reference to the attached drawing showing a typical embodiment of the invention given by way of example only, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the principle of a labelling machine constructed according to the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the relative arrangement of one of the pick-up rollers with respect to the intermediate roller and to the gumming rollers;

FIGURE 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the rollers in another operative position;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a pick-up roller and the intermediate roller;

FIGURE 4 is a half-sectional view showing a typical embodiment of a gumming roller; and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are fragmentary elevational and end views, respectively, showing a modified embodiment of the improved gumming device.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the same reference numerals designate like components of a labelling machine. Thus, in FIG. 1, a guide means in the form of a bottle conveyor 1 carries the bottles or receptacles 2 along a transport path past a nine-station rotatable label-applying turret 3. A finger 4 projecting into the path of conveyor 1 is actuated by each moving bottle and releases through adequate kinematic means the pick-up rollers to be described presently. The feed means 543 for the labels include a pair of label magazines 5, 6 having a fixed position, disposed at right angles to each other and from which the pick-up rollers 7, 8 are adapted to take a label alternately. These pick-up rollers 7, 8 are semi-rotative and adapted to pivot about axes 9, 10; they are carried to this end by arms 11, 12. As in conventional devices of this character, each label is picked up by suction and each pick-up roller is adapted to deposit the corresponding label on the intermediate or transfer roller 13 having a fixed axis, but revolving continuously. The intermediate roller 13 transfers the label to the gumming means constituted by a gumming roller 14 disposed in the known manner with respect to the gumming box 15 for rendering the label adhesive. Then the label is taken by each one of the angularly spaced applicators or stations 3a of turret 3, in order to be transferred to the bottles 2, on which it is applied and pressed in a manner known per se.

Referring now more in detail to FIGS. 2A and 3, it will be noted that a driving pinion l6, meshes with a pinion 17, so as to drive the gumrning roller 14 with continuous rotation. This pinion 17' is also in meshing engagement with a pinion 18 rigid with the intermediate roller 13. Wedged or keyed on the shaft 19 of this intermediate roller 13, are partially toothed pinions 20, 21, push-aside cams 22, 23, and detent-positioning cams 2 5, for locking the pick-up rollers with the proper timing. Only one of the pick-up rollers is shown in these figures to simplify the drawing, but the similar position of the other pick-up roller can easily be inferred therefrom.

Actually, the pinion Zil, cam 22 and cam 24 are effective for controlling the movements of pick-up roller '7, and pinion 21, cam 23 and cam 25 shifted vertically in relation to their corresponding elements control the movements of pick-up roller 8, not shown.

Another partially toothed pinion 26 is in meshing engagement with pinion 29 and drives in a semi-rotative manner the shaft 27 of pick-up roller '7. The angular setting of the partially toothed pinions driving in succession the shafts of the pick-up rollers is such that each partially toothed pinion revolves successively through 180 and is then stationary, while the other pinion revolves lilacwise through 180, so that one of the pick-up rollers rotates, while the other is stationary. The movement of shaft 27 toward shaft 19, which-is obtained through the return action of spring 28, is controlled through the cam 22 constantly engaging the follower 29. As the intermediate roller 13 revolves continuously, the alternating movement of shaft 27, on which the follower a9 is mounted for free rotation will be readily understood, Finally, the shaft 27 is held against rotation and locked in the proper angular position at the end of each half-revolution, during the time necessary for the pick-up roll-er to pick up a label, by inserting a follower roller Ella into a properly positioned notch 31a of the notched cam 31 formed with another diametrally opposite notch 31b. The arm 11 in FIGS. 2 and 2A is somewhat in front of the transfer roller 13 (see FIG. 1) so that it can swing counterclockwise to bring the roller '7 into osculating relationship with the transfer roller 13. The gears 2t and 26 are, as previously described, onlypartly toothed and are cut away (see gear 26 in FIGS. 2 and 2A) to permit roller 7 to contact roller 13 whereupon arm 11 clears the gear 18. Cam 22 is formed with a cutout (FIG. 2A) and effects the displacement of the arm 11 under the action of spring 28. This displacement of the roller 7 or 8 toward the roller 13 occurs only when pinion 26 ceases to mesh with gear 20. Rotation of roller 7 to bring the gear 26 again into mesh with gear Zil results from frictional interengagement of the rollers 7 and 13, the latter being continuously driven. Thus shaft'27 is positively driven via gears 26 and 25 when roller 7 is disengaged from roller 13 and is frictionally driven when in engagement therewith.

At the end of the meshing period of the partially toothed pinions 2i and 26, the follower 30a carried by an arm 36 pivoted on a pin 3% and urged by a return spring (not shown) moves away from the circular outer periphery of the notched cam 31, on which it was pressed, and then drops for example into the other notch 31a. Thus, shaft 27 is stopped in a well-defined angular position. During the movement of the pick-up roller toward the label magazine the contact is maintained between the follower 30a and notch 31a due to the resilient mounting of arm 39. This arm 3% also carries a'follower 3% adapted to engage, and be pushed outwards by, the lobe of cam 24, so that the shaft 27 may be released for effecting another rotational movement when the first teeth of the partially toothed pinions 2t) and 26 resume their relative meshing engage ment.

Though FIG. 2 shows the various cams and inions axially spaced from one another on their common shaft 19, it will be seen on the other hand, in the practical embodiment shown in FIG. 3, that the different components are actually superposed to one another and connected to shaft 19 on the one hand by a key 32, and on the other hand by pins 33. The reference numeral 34 designates the bed of the machine supporting the shafts 19 and 27, coaxial helical springs 35, 36 being mounted on these shafts 17 and 29 respectively, which support the pick-up-rolle-rs 7 and the intermediate roller 13, respectively. The bearings, in which these shafts are mounted, are shown diagrammati cally at 37, 38, 39 and 40.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the intermediate, continuously rotating roller 13 takes two labels per complete revolution and during the same time each pick-up l roller accomplishes only a half-revolution, the time period during which the pick-up roller does not rotate being used for displacing the roller by translation between the label magazine and the intermediate roller and including of course the time necessary for picking up the label.

in the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, there is shown a label sticking device, in which any direct contact is avoided. In this modified arrangement, the surface of the gumming roller 14 is formed with alternate circular ribs 41 and circular grooves 4-2. Registering with each circular groove 42 are presser fingers 44 pivoted on a shaft 43, which proiect slightly within said grooves 42 under the influence of spring means (not shown) of any suitable type, whereby the label 45 is caused to engage in a substantially perfect manner the gummed surface of ribs 41.

Another gumming device comprising means for releasing the labels is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawing. A pair of gumming rollers 46, 47 revolving in the same direction are formed with ribs 48, 4?, the ribs of one roller projecting somewhat Within the grooves separating the ribs of the other roller. The label Si) is pressed simultaneously against both rollers by a cylinder 51 revolving in the opposite direction and having its outer surface spaced say, /s from the outermost surface of the ribs of gumming rollers Aid, 47, the label being caused to engage th gumming ribs by altering somewhat the shape of the label which constantly tends to resume its initial shape.

Finally, the device for releasing the label and feeding same to the turret consists of a shaft 52 carrying circular blades 53 formed with relatively sharp edges and so disposed that they engage the gaps or grooves formed between the ribs 49 of the gumming roller 47. The function of these blades 53 is to take the label from the gumming roller 47, in order to transfer it to the turret 3, the latter attracting and retaining the label by suction. To facilitate this transfer, the outer sharpened edges of the circular blades 53 are formed with notches 54 aligned along a common generatrix, so as to release the label 50 from ribs 49 in a highly efficient manner.

Of course, many modifications may be brought to the specific form of embodiment described and shown herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention thus, notably, the pick-up rollers may be driven to accomplish a complete revolution about their axes between two successive label pick-up steps. Under these conditions, instead of moving away from the intermediate roller, when the label has been taken by this roller, the pick-up roller would maintain its tangential contact with the intermediate roller, so as to roll'the label thereon during a half-revolution, thus improving considerably the transfer of the label by said intermediate roller. In this case, the cam 31 would comprise only one notch on its periphery.

On the other hand, the system for locking the shaft 27 against rotation, which is described herein with reference to FIG. 2, could be simplified considerably by using the lobe of cam 23 for actuating the follower 39c, and viceversa for the other pick-up roller, so that cams 24 and 25 could be dispensed with. The assembly of a machine thus equipped would be extremely simple and rapid, as the interchangeable parts could be mounted without any adjustment or setting. To further facilitate this assembly, the detent positioning device for locking the pinions and cams in the proper angular position, which is shown in FIG. 3 on shaft 19, could be replaced with a single keying device providing the desired relative angular positions of the different parts concerned.

Finally, the label presser device without any contact between the presser members and the gumming roller or rollers could consist of pneumatic device blowing air toward the label and pressing same against the gumming ribs, as a substitute for the means described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

Although, the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a high-speed receptacle labeling machine, in combination, guide means forming a transport path for a succession of receptacles to be labeled; a rotatable label-applying turret disposed adjacent said path and. having a plurality of angularly spaced applicators successively engageable with receptacles passing along said path for applying labels thereto; gumming means adjacent said turret for rendering adhesive corresponding surfaces of a plurality of labels and supplying same to said applicators in succession; and feed means for supplying said labels to said gumrning means, said feed means comprising a transfer roller rotatable about an axis parallel to that of said turret, a plurality of label-storage magazines angularly offset about the axis of said transfer roller, a plurality of pick-up rollers each associated with a respective one of said magazines and rotatable about respective axes parallel to said axis and angularly offset about the latter, mechanism coupling said pick-up rollers for alternate displace ment thereof into oscillating relationship with said transfer roller in one extreme position of each pick-up roller for depositing upon said transfer roller a label carried by the respective pick-up roller from another extreme position of each pick-up roller proximal to the respective magazine for taking up a label therefrom, and drive means for partially rotating each of said pick-up rollers in said other extreme position and releasably locking them in a predetermined angular orientation for enabling the taking-up of a label.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer path is substantially horizontal, said turret being rotatable about a vertical axis at one side of said path, said rollers each having a respective vertical axis, said magazines including between them an angle of substantially 90.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a rotatable shaft coupled with said transfer roller and a partly toothed pinion gear operatively connected to a respective pick-up roller and intermittently meshing with a gear keyed to said shaft whereby each of said rollers is positively driven through an angle of 4. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said drive means further comprises detent means for releasably securing said pick-up rollers in said predetermined angular orientation, said detent means including a respective indexing member operatively coupled to each of said pick-up rollers, a respective detent normally biased into engagement with the respective indexing member, and cam means on said shaft for periodically withdrawing each detent from the respective indexing member.

5. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said mechanism includes a pair of swingable support arms each rotatably mounting a respective one of said pick-up rollers, and cam means on said shaft for alternately reciprocating said arms between said extreme positions.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said guinming means includes a gumming roller, osculating said transfer roller and formed with axially alternating circumferential ridges and grooves.

'7. The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said gumming means further includes a comb of axially spaced resilient fingers, each projecting slightly within a respective groove for holding a label against said gumrning roller.

8. The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said gumming means includes a further roller provided with a plurality of axially spaced circumferential ribs extending into said grooves for facilitating the removal of a label from said gumming roller.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said ribs are sharp-edged to engage the adhesive side of each label along relatively narrow strips, said ribs being formed with longitudinally aligned notches for facilitating stripping of a label from said gumming roller.

References fi ted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,660,467 2/28 Anderson l56350 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner. ALEXANDER WYMAN, Examiner. 

1. IN A HIGH-SPEED RECEPTACLE LABELING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, GUIDE MEANS FORMING A TRANSPORT PATH FOR A SUCCESSION OF RECEPTACLES TO BE LABELED; A ROTATABLE LABEL APPLYING TURRET DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID PATH AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY SPACED APPLICATORS SUCCESSIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH RECEPTACLES PASSING ALONG SAID PATH FOR APPLYING LABELS THERETO; GUMMING MEANS ADJACENT SAID TURRET FOR RENDERING ADHESIVE CORRESPONDING SURFACES OF A PLURALITY OF LABELS AND SUPPLYING SAME TO SAID APPLICATORS IN SUCCESSION; AND FEED MEANS FOR SUPPLYING SAID LABELS TO SAID GUMMING MEANS, SAID FEED MEANS COMPRISING A TRANSFER ROLLER ROTATABLE ABOUT AN AXIS PARALLEL TO THAT OF SAID TURRET, A PLURALITY OF LABEL-STORAGE MAGAZINES ANGULARLY OFFSET ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID TRANSFER ROLLER, A PLURALITY OF PICK-UP ROLLERS EACH ASSOCIATED WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID MAGAZINES AND ROTATABLE ABOUT RESPECTIVE AXES PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS AND ANGULARLY OFFSET ABOUT THE LATTER, MECHANISM COUPLING SAID PICK-UP ROLLERS FOR ALTERNATE DISPLACEMENT THEREOF INTO OSCULATING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID TRANS- 